But he said the UK needed more police, not less, to keep us safe. Police numbers have fallen under the Conservatives, including during the period when Theresa May was Home Secretary and responsible for policing.

He said: “Austerity has to stop at the A&E ward and at the police station door. We cannot be protected and cared for on the cheap.

“There is no question about the seriousness of what we face. Over recent years, the threat of terrorism has continued to grow.

“You deserve to know what a Labour Government will do to keep you and your family safe.

“Our approach will involve change at home and change abroad.

“At home, we will reverse the cuts to our emergency services and police. Once again in Manchester, they have proved to be the best of us.

Armed police mingle with shoppers in Newcastle City Centre, the day after the Manchester attack.

“Austerity has to stop at the A&E ward and at the police station door. We cannot be protected and cared for on the cheap.

“There will be more police on the streets under a Labour Government. And if the security services need more resources to keep track of those who wish to murder and maim, then they should get them.”

Police services have been some of the biggest losers in the spending cuts introduced by the Conservatives, and the Conservative-led coalition government, since 2010.

The number of police employed by Northumbria Police fell from 4,187 in March 2010 to 3,263 in September 2016, according to official figures published by the Home Office.

He highlighted the NATO intervention in Libya, backed by the UK and France, which led to the fall of dictator Colonel Gaddafi.

Mr Corbyn said: “We will also change what we do abroad. Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services have pointed to the connections between wars our government has supported or fought in other countries, such as Libya, and terrorism here at home.”

In his speech, Mr Corbyn suggested the Manchester bombing meant politicians should not accuse each other of lacking patriotism.

He said: “We cannot carry on as though nothing happened in Manchester this week.

“So, let the quality of our debate, over the next fortnight, be worthy of the country we are proud to defend. Let’s have our arguments without impugning anyone’s patriotism and without diluting the unity with which we stand against terror.”

Northumberland Conservative Anne-Marie Trevelyan pointed out that the Labour leader is on record as opposing Trident, the UK’s nuclear weapons system.

She said: “He totally fails to understand the necessity of Trident as our most valuable piece of defence for the British people.”

Senior Labour politician Mike Gapes, a former chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee, criticised the suggestion the UK’s actions overseas were the reason for terrorist attacks at home.

Mr Gapes, a critic of Mr Corbyn who is standing for re-election in Ilford South, said: “Daesh hate us for what we are. Not for what we do.

“Our foreign policy is used as justification for their crimes. It is not the reason.”

John Woodcock, another Labour critic of Mr Corbyn, said: “Let’s remember the things that make terrorists hate us. Our freedom, our respect for life, our rich diversity. Who we are, not what we do.”